Campaign for RSF HOA heats up

Some aspects of election seem more suited to higher office

Boon saw her questions as a duty of office, but others saw her approach as needlessly unpleasant. Longtime association manager Pete Smith went on medical leave and negotiated a severance with a condition that he never have to be in a room with Boon again.

Boon and Eggleston have engaged in a voter registration drive this year, launched after learning many dues-paying residents couldn’t vote because they hadn’t registered.

According to the association, approximately 1,752 people were registered to vote in last year’s board election and 561 ballots were cast. For this year’s election, participation is higher, with 2,070 ballots mailed on May 8 and due back June 9.

Boon and Eggleston say there are simple things that can be done to increase homeowner engagement, such as simplifying the voting process (with its 22-page registration packet) and holding some board meetings at night, instead of 9 a.m. on weekdays.

Addario and Callahan both have spouses who previously served on the board. Both were selected by the association’s board member nomination committee and were endorsed by a local political action group known as the Public Interest Committee. Members of that group propelled Boon’s removal from office for “disrespectful” behavior toward staff.

Susan Callahan

“A climate was being developed of divisiveness, of embarrassing public officials...The number one thing is to try to bring some healing.”

Both Addario and Callahan say the divisiveness brought to the community by Boon must end, and if elected they can bring cohesion back to the board.

“It was a very unproductive, conflicted administration, which we have never had in the past,” Addario said. “I would like to return it to better communication and a better style.”

Callahan said, “I would hope to bring some of the civility back that we need.”

“I understand that divisiveness has developed in the community since I stood up and asked questions. That was not my intention,” Boon said, adding, “I will continue to ask questions in a polite and civilized way, which I think I have always done.”

Kim Eggleston

“It’s been an employee-dominated HOA and it needs to have greater oversight in terms of employee benefits and expenses, but it’s a terrific place to live.”

Eggleston said, “It’s hard to run a transparent government when you don’t know what’s going on.”

Addario said that certain issues raised by Boon and Eggleston have been bogus, such as saying the association has been opaque.

“A lot of this about access to information has been blown way out of proportion, and that has to stop,” Addario said. “Access to information has always been there.”

The extent of campaigning this year by Boon and Eggleston has reached new heights, according to the other two candidates and residents.

“It’s historic. I’ve never seen anything like that. Neither have many others in the community,” Callahan said. “Especially these multiple FedExes coming to everyones home with big slick materials, and the expenses are phenomenal. It’s just hard to understand.”